Article excerpt

MARCH has been a month of momentous publicity at both extremes
for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), a law
enforcement agency that until now rarely captured the public's
attention.

On the positive side, the ATF may have helped to crack the
biggest terrorism case in United States history. Its arson experts,
investigating the bombing of the parking garage of New York's World
Trade Center, found clues that led to several arrests less than one
week after the blast.

On the negative side, last week the bureau lost four agents, the
most ever killed in a single operation by the ATF and its
predecessor organizations since 1920. Sixteen other agents were
wounded by the greatest fusillade reportedly ever directed at
federal lawmen.

Believing that a religious sect called Branch Davidians
possessed explosives and illegal firearms, some 150 ATF agents
attempted on Feb. 28 to storm Mount Carmel, the sect's 77-acre
compound 10 miles east of Waco.

During a 45-minute shootout, the Branch Davidians successfully
repelled the assault. Another gun battle broke out later that day.

In all, the sect suffered three confirmed fatalities and
possibly 10 or more. Meanwhile, the ATF called in reinforcements,
including the FBI's elite Hostage Rescue Team and FBI negotiators.

As the standoff drags into its second week, hundreds of lawmen
from a score of agencies ring the compound. No further shooting has
taken place, and the FBI says it is willing to wait as long as
necessary for the Branch Davidians to give up peacefully.

The FBI negotiates constantly with sect leader David Koresh, who
has allowed 21 children and two elderly women to leave the
compound. At press time, he says 90 adults and 17 children remain
inside.

The fiasco at Mount Carmel has prompted sharp criticism of the
ATF's tactics. Treasury Secretary Lloyd Bentsen, for whom the ATF
works, has called for an investigation, as have key members of
Congress. Bureau director Stephen Higgins has promised "a full and
complete report," says ATF spokesman Lester Stanford.

Questions about the raid, which the ATF says was preceded by
four months of planning, focus on the bureau's timing and tactics. …